7 Confidence boosting tips
There's no 'one size fits all' solution to keeping a positive mind in the face of life's hiccups, but here are our 7 top tips for giving yourself a confidence boost both at the gym and in your every day life.
Workout with a friend
A study by Oxford University found exercising with friends produces more pleasure than working out alone. As a result, you're more likely to workout more often, for longer and you're less likely to miss a workout if you've arranged to meet a friend at the gym.
Smile
Even if you're faking it, smiling can lift your mood, according to researchers at Harvard University. So if you find yourself hitting the wall, turn that grimace into a smile. It might just help.
Give yourself a pat on the back
Acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments - even if they seem trivial. Make a list of what you've done, not what you've got left to do - it accentuates the positive rather than the negative.
Take your first step to fitness
According to popular American TV psychiatrist Laura Berman, just one trip to the gym increases positive feelings about your body. One trip, that's all it takes.
Sit up straight
Research at Ohio State University found that if you slouch while sat down you're less likely to believe positive things about yourself. So your mother was on to something all those years ago: Sit up straight!
Move more
The more steps people take each day, the better they feel about themselves, according to a study at McMaster University in Canada. So rather than sit at your desk each lunchtime feeling sluggish, get up, get moving and feel great.
Try something new
Simply trying something new gives you confidence. It doesn't matter if you're not the best at it, just giving it a go can make you feel better about yourself. So if there's a class you've never tried at the gym, why not give it a go?